Gate closing and locking mechanism for discharge outlets of car hoppers



July 7, 1953 G. B. DoREY GATE CLOSING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DISCHARGE OUTLETS OF CAR HOPPERS Y Filed April 9, 1949 -3 Sheets-Sheet l l l IWINHHHMIHIHIUHIUIIH 3 lllllllllll ll I ll IJT l I l I .Il

/N VEN TOR GEORGE -B .DOR/ EY f//s' ATToR/VEY July 7, 1953 G. B. DOREY 2,644,408

O GATE CLOSING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DISCHARGE OUTLETS OF CAR HOPPERS Filed April 9, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 7/ 83 FIG. 4

B I3 I9 l 73 74 l, \\\79 82 Il 58//"` l 3o "fyi/j 5o le f- S vw- 4 FIGLIG /N VEN Tof? GEORGE B. .D0/ear /7/5 ATTR/VEY July 7, 1953 G. B. DoRl-:Y

GATE CLOSING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DISCHARGE OUTLETS OF CAR HOPPERS Filed April 9, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F|G.8 FIG. IO

/NVE/vrof GEORGE B. QREY ,ff/5 ATfa/QNSY Patented -July 7, 1953 VGATE CLOSING.r J Fort DISCHARGE PERS y 2,644,408-V v AND LOCKING MECHANISM George B. Dorey, Westmont, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Enterprise Railway Equipment Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois e Application Aprile, 1949, serial NasasmV 1o claims. (el, 'ros-282) `My invention relates to an improved discharge outlet for hoppers such as, used in railway hop:- Aper cars and the like and myA invention especially .relates to themeans employed for forcing sliding. gate to :fully closed position: and retain-- ing thesame in closed position. 1 Y Y ci sltgisgan object of my invention toimake use of sthe means employed for retaining the gate .in closed position. to serve also in combination with the frame structure as a sealing element to com-- plete-the enclosure of the projecting end of the sliding gate.

.Another object of my invention is to make use toltoggle acting mechanism in the operation of a sealing devicewhereby the principle of mul'- .tipliedmechanical advantage isfobtained in the .nal stage of the latching operation to force'the :gate homefand to retain it positively in closedpo- 'f sition against lengthwise movement. t

Astillfurther object of my kinvention is to provide; a latching device which will act simultaneously fon the full width of the gate and applytthe forcingI pressure evenly thereby insuring lagainst canting and binding of the gate y'ffairistthe verticalside walls of the frame.v

1 My invention is of special importance in'connectionwith sliding gates which are adapted to sreceive auxiliary sealing through the employment of sideandnd resilientrgaskets for cooperation-With the sidel and end walls of theY .supporting frame. While the sealing effect objtainedfthrough the surface contact between :the -fbearing surfaces of the-gateand supporting run- Aways.i s usually suflicient for most commodities, Vitis frequently desirable withfnely comminuted and; free. flowing commodities to provide auxiliary sealingmeans.v `:To this end it is now profposed .to provide astructure which will function with thel general runoffcom'modities without the use of gaskets but which will'be-*adapted to "re- 'ceiv'e gaskets Iwhenlfnecessary for'- specal' services.

. iff! vr'It'is' therefore. another :object offmydvention vtol provides`ealing-V latching means "forfthe "outerendof thev gate' and frameiwhichjwill be whether or 'not auxiliary gasketsQareh employed. Myinventiontfurtlier resides in" thefraii'ejand doorfstr'ucture in relation to the locking .fnism and otherprSf j Fig. 13

Fig. 2 is a vertical side elevational View of the assemblyshownin Fig. 1.` f

Fig. .3 is a partial vertical sectional view taken through the side Wall of the outlet on aline 3.--3

.of Fig. 2.

L Fig. 4 is a vertical `sectional view on an enlarged scale taken through the outer end of the outlet asfseen on a line 4-4 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 5'isia side vertical elevationalview on an enlarged scale of the outer end of the assembly showing the `latching mechanism in released position with the latching shaft in raised position above the gate. f

Fig. 6 is a fractional side view of the outer end of the outlet'assemloly. showing the position of the links in right angular relation and indicating the maximum swinging range of the anchored linkage.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View along the line 1,-1 of Fig. -1 through the outer end ofthe frame and showing lthe position of the latching shaft as it approaches the notches.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the latching element.

Fig. 9 is an end View of the latchingelement shown in Fig. 8.

inlo of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a top .planview of the inner toggle link.A

Fig. 12 is'a side view of the inner link shown in Fig, 11.

isla top plan view of the outer toggle link.

. f Fig. 14 is a side view of the outer togglellnk shown in Fig., 13.

" through the upper outer end of the outlet showing vtheuse of a supplementary insulating curtain of exible material in connection with my improved latching device.

- Fig. '16 is` a view in front elevation of the sup'- pleinentary` insulating curtain and related parts shown in Fig.- 15.

In thedrawings A indicates an outlet frame, B a' sliding gate, C .longitudinally extending run- Ways on which the gate B is slidingly mounted, `D an operating shaft with a pinion E Viixedly mounted thereon, F'a shaft bearing and extension members on each side of the frame, G inner toggle links, H outer toggle links, J alatch- .ing element assembly with its associated locking bolt K.

The frame A is formed with an upperpreferably hour-sided,I hopper portion including out- The frame A, which is preferably formed of a steel casting, is provided with an aperture I3,;Fig. 4, adjacent the outer end I2 v,of the Vframeforjthe accommodation of the gate B' therethrough. The frame A is extended below the gate B to provide a four-sided chute like pertionL Vincluding f vertical side Walls I4-I4, an "end wally I5 adjacent the inner sloping upper wall IIV and an outer crosswall structure of angle shape including a depending wall I6 and a substantially horizontally disposed wall I1, the upper face lIl'foi 'said wall I1 in combination with the under surface I9 of end wall I2 constituting respectively the horizontal lower and upperl boundaries of the aperture. I3.;

. Adjacent Vthe lower margin of the chute walls dening the discharge outlet the frame Ais provided zon thek fourV sides with outwardly laterally .projecting means to receiver a removable extension chute (not shown) as indicatedin Figs. land 2 at 20, 2I, 22 and 23 respectively. Said means on two adjacent sides as indicated by members and `2| are in the form of an outstanding flat ledge 24iand 25 respectively and on the other two sides the members 22 and 23 are bent to form grooves Ias shown at 26 and r21'respectively. Said members 2U 4and A22 are of angle shape with vertil J cally disposed flanges 28 secured to the side walls I4 and .members `2I and 23 are disposed outwardly of the chute end walls I5 and I'Iiand riveted thereto.

The side supporting runways C on which the vgate B is arranged to have sliding movement are formed of angle shaped members including a substantially horizontally disposed flange 29, Fig. 4, 'and a :depending flange 3U, the latter lying flat- Wise along the inner surface 3l of the upright walls I4I4 and riveted thereto as indicated at 32, Fig. 2. The inner end Vof the frame A rintermediate the upper attaching wall I I and the lower inner wall `I5 of the chute is provided with a horizontal ledge 33, Fig. 2, disposed in alignyment with the horizontally disposed flange 29 of the respective side runways C and welded lthereto `atthe end as indicated lat A34 yto provide a continuous three-sided supporting surface for thegate B. The angle shaped side runways C extend from the end supporting ledge 33fbeyond the horizontally'extending lower wall I1 of the aperture -I3. rlheyhave their vertical flanges notched at -3'5,`-Fi'g.4,to straddle the `end walls I6 and I'I of 'the -chute'L-an'd the operating shaft D. The horizontal flanges 29 are extended uninterruptedly from the-ledgeS'S beyond the outer end of thegate B when in closed position and terminate adjacent the end of the frame side walls I4.l y

The 'gate is prevented from upward movement by the under surface I9 of upper end wall I2 and by'- laterally extending lugs A35 which are formed integrally with the frame A. The inner surfaces 3'I of-the side wallsr I4-I4 operate as guides to engage'the side edge portions 31 of the gate B.

' The sliding gate B is a plate having a substantial-ly at upper face 38 and beveled sides 39 and a beveled end 46. The gate B when inclosed position, -is adapted to rest on the flanges 29 of therunways- Cl andv end. ledge- 33 and adjacent "its 4 Y side and end edges it is provided with depending end and side walls indicated at 4I and 42, Figs. l and 3. Attached to these end and side walls 4I and 42 are resilient gaskets of tubular form as shown at 43 and 44. The side walls 42 and associated gaskets 44 are disposed lin slightly divergent relation to provide a wedge shaped formation adapted to register with a similarly wedge shaped formation on the frame A as provided by the edge portions 45, Fig. 3, of the adjacent flanges 29. of the runways C.

runways are disposed in slightly divergent relation to provide a wedge shaped interior formation corresponding to the wedge shaped formation on the gate B asset Vforth in more detail in copending application Serial No. 67,215, led December 24, 1948, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

The underside of thegate B is formed with rack lteeth 4'6. and co-operable therewith for moving the gate is the toothed pinion E on the shaft D. Each alternate tooth 46 is extended transversely to each sideof the gate to unite integrally with the depending side Walls 42. The. shaft D is pivotally mounted in trunnionlike bearings 41, Fig. 5, lformed integrally with the bearing members F which` are riveted .as indicated at 48 to the side walls I4 of the frame. Y The side walls I4 are indentedat 49 in order tov straddlethe shaft D. The bearing members VF extend beyond the 'walls I4 and are provided with forwardly projecting extensions 5I] which extend beyond the frame A and secured to them .are railmembers 5I fo'r supporting the gate B in opened position.

. The gate B is maintained inv fully closed position by means of the bodily movable latching 'elementJ, Figs. l, 8 and 10., which extends entirely across its front end. The l'atching element J preferably `includes 'a body portion or tube 52 formed of a hollow tubular member in fthe form of length of commercial pipe andxedly attached thereto at the endsfare arms 53 andV 54 the latter .being provided with a bell crank handle portion 55 and 'a -key shaped aperture 56 for receiving locking bolt LK. The arms 53 and 54 are provided 'with laterally extending sections which extend within the tube 52 Vand are welded thereto, the projection in the case of arm 53 consisting of ia circular shaped portion S53 lying Vin the tube 52 and in the case of varm'54 the projection is of extended length -and crescent shape as'indicated Aat 51 to provide -a :bear-ing 58in which the locking bolt Kis mounted for lengthwise and limited rotary motion. 'l'heppe 52 is 'formed with cutaway segmental shaped `portions 59 and 6I) yto allow for welding as 4at 6I and '62 and also to provide suiiicient clearance -to permit the 7desired turning motion of the locking bolt K in connection with the arm 54. f

The arms v53 and 54 are disposed outwardly `of the .side walls I4 and. pivotally united therewith are the inner and outertoggle links G and H. These links are pivotally united at one end with the arms 53 and 54 as at 63, Fig. 6, and with the Vframe A at 64. The respective links are vprefer'- ably `formed 'with integral apertured leg portions V65, Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14, through whichy rivets 66 extend. In 'order to provide a secure anchorage for the links G and I-I relatively tothe frame A, integrally formed upright arms 61, Fig. 5,'1ead upwardly yfrom vthe outer ends of the trunnion -like bearing portions 41, said arms 61 of lthe hubs being disposed in alignment with'the' corresponding arms 53 and l54 of 'the latching element J.

It will be under-- stood that 4these edge portions 45 of the respective pocket.

' -The respective aligned arms 6'Il of the frame A and arms 53 and 54 of the latching element J are then sandwiched between the twoparts of the link assembly formed by links G and H.

The inner links G lie in the planes of the ends foflatchbodyportion 52 and-are of saddle shape 'Lto provide an indented portion 68 to accomlmodate it between the pivotal axes 63 and 64 of the linkage. .The outerv links H lie outwardly of the ends of the latch bodyV 52 and include a plate body portion 69 having a key shaped aperture 'I8 adapted to register 4with the aperture k56 in the 'arm 54, when thelatch body 52 is in latching position with its longitudinal axis lying .slightly to one sidev of a line joining the pivotal axisl 63 and 64. Y i

At the ends of the respective wallsI4 there are formed notches 'I I, Fig. 6, having an interior con- ;.tour of substantially semicircular shape conforming to the shape of the yexterior contour of the latch body 52 for receiving the same toV hold .it yagainst upward displacement. The lower face of each notchv'II aligns with the bearing face of the runway C and the upper bearing face thereof leads outwardlyand upwardly tangentiallyfrom the circular face as indicated at 112 in order to provide a flared approach to the The latching element J is adapted to assume a latching position in the notches 'Hin the path ofrnovementwof the gate B and is movable therefrom by a, movement of rotation to a released position above the path of movement of vthegate B. The latching element J in its transition from one position toanother moves along Aupwardly inclined runways 'I3.which-are the edge portions of upwardly disposed extensions 14 formed integrally with members F. The latching element J is maintained in released or unlatched position by knuckling to its position as indicated in Fig. 5. A stop 'I5 is provided on each of the arms 53 and 54 which engages with 'the upper edge 16 of the outer linksH, the stop 'I5 onarm 54 actually being an offset inthe lever 55 to dispose the latter outwardly of the frame A sufficiently far to provide clearance for Amanually grasping it.

The latching element J in its movement between its extreme positions is compelled to Yfollow closely the inclined runwayV 13Y by reason of the fact that the upward throw of 'the linkage is limited by contact between the,` upper surface 11, Fig. 6, of the humped portionfof link G, and the under surface 'I8 of wall I2. VWith the limitation placed upon the upward movement of the linkage, it will be observed that the latching element J is then confined to a circular path kas 'indicated at 18a. along which itcan move to yfully opened knuckled position, Fig. 5, or move toward closing position by entering within the plane Aof the beveled portion 12 andhaving its further movement controlledthereby. The body of the latching element J in its movement to closed position sweeps along the outer face of the gate B which is formed with ribs 'I9 and a slightlyr receding inclined face 80 to counteract any liftaction of the'latch. u l The latching elementv J `inlatching relation vrests on the` runways C and is positioned in'the path'of Vmoyement'of the gate Band lies in'the "notches YI*I,'being therefretained against upward displacement and also maintained against longitudinal movement'by reason of having its axis in deadvr center locking relation with respectto the axial pivots 63 and 64l of the linkage as- Ving tendency of `the gate B duerto the sweeping vslembly G. and H. lThe circularbody portion 52 ybears against a continuously extending horizontal;4 wall-8|, Fig.V 4, von the gate B which has an inclined Yface 82 forming a downward continuation of the inclined faces of the ribs 19.

Extending from the upper and of the end wall rI2 there is a sloping wall 83 which extends between the sidewalls I4-I'4 downwardly and forwardlyto overlie thel projecting portion rof the gate, The under. Surface 84 .0f the lO'we'r margin V,of the wall 83 is disposed tangentially to the circular contour of the latch element J, the surface 84 extending upwardly in alignment with the upper beveled surfaces 'I2 of the notches. The lower margin of wall 83 is of bulb formation 85 thereby providing a rugged lip for contacting with the latching element J.

Mylimproved construction is further adapted to receive a flexible sealing curtain 86 as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 and to this end laterally extending wings 86', Fig. 1, forming a continuation of wall 83, are provided. The saidjwings are provided with bolt holes 81 for securing a furring v88 for holding the sealing curtain 86 which may be tar paper, canvas,` rubber, or

similar flexible product. The sealing curtain 86 is longv enough to extend over the wall 83 and the wings 86 .and wide enough to cover the wall 83 and extend around the body portion 52 .ofA the latching element J in the latched position shown in Figure l15. The furring 88', extending along the upper edge of the wall 83' and secured thereby to bolts extending through the holes 87 therein, serves to clamp the upper edge of the curtain 86 in position. The remainder of the curtain 86 is free to be wrapped around the body portion 52 of the latching element to prevent egress of finely divided lading, such as cement, therepast. With the mechanism in toggle locked position, the projecting end of the gate B is completely enclosed within the housingformed by the walls I4--I4 and the cope shaped member-formed by walls I2 and 83.

The positioning of the body portion 52 of the latchingelement J in the notches 'II and in bearing contact with the gate B and runways C and with the face 84 of the wall 83 assures'vcomple'te ,enclosure and sealing of the end of the gate B.'

This sealing is further enhanced by the interposition of a sealing curtain 86 between the latch-'- ing element J and the respective bearing surfaces on the gate B and frame A. Y

lThe locking bolt K is generally formed ofa circular shaped bar 89, Fig. 10, having at one `end an enlarged circularly shapedlug 90 and" at the opposite end a lkey shaped projection 9| .formedfwith a seal receiving aperture 92. .Intermediate the ends thereof a handle 93 is provided.

The locking bolt K seats in bearing 58 of the arm :54 and is maintained in axial relation with respect to the latching element J by meansV of the bearing lug 98 which also acts as a stop to limit Aoutward sliding movement of the latching element J When the latching element J is moved to the position shown in Figures l, 2 and 4, the

key shaped projection 9I of the locking bolt K registers with the `key shaped aperture 'I0 in the Aadjacent outer link I-I. rThereupon the locking" `bolt K is moved axially outwardly of the latching element J through the aperture 70 Where the .usual seal can be inserted in the aperture 92 therefor.

I'claim as my invention: v 1. In a discharge outlet assembly including a Aanagrams Afrafrne having a discharge openingsand a gate `slidably mounted therein forclosing the opening, latching means for retaining said 'gate inclosed position includinga bodily movable latching yele?- ment extending along the full width of said gate and adapted to lassume a latching positionin=the path o movement of one side thereof vand-movable by rotation to assume a position above the 'pathof movement VLof `and out of-oontact engagement with said gate, and looking means vr'cooperlating with said Vlatching element to hold the same against'rotation in the v-latching position.

2. In a discharge outletJ assembly 'including a frame having a discharge opening and Ja gate slidably mounted therein for vclosing the opening, at least one wall of said frame to one s'ide ofsaid gate having a notch aligned with the end of said gate in closed position which end is movable away from sai-d frame to open position and opening generally in the direction .of opening movement of said gate, latching means for said gate vincluding a latching element bodily lmovable by rotation thereof to a. position inthe path of movement of said end ci said gate and having' a portion adapted to interni; with said notch when said element is moved to 'latched position so as Vto extend through said 'notchedwalL andV means Vfor moving said latching element by rotation Athereof including' an 'arm projecting radially from said portion ther'eoi'beyond said notched wall and link means pivoted at one end to said arm and at the other end to said wall whereby said latching element can be swung to latched position with said portion in said notchand between the pivotal connections to said link means.

3. In a discharge outlet assembly including a .frame having ,a discharge yopeningland Aa gate slidably mounted therein for closing the opening, the walls of said frame at the sides of said '.gate having notches aligned with the end of said gate in closed position which end is movable away from said frame to open position and opening generally in the direction of opening movement of said gate, latching means for said gate including a latching element extending along the full width of said gate and bodily movable by rotation thereof to a position in the path of said .g

l end of said gate and having end portions adapted to intert with said notches respectively when said element is moved to latched position so as to project beyond said notched walls, and means for moving said latching element by rotation thereof including aligned arms projecting radi- .ally vfrom said end portions of said latching element `beyond said notched walls and link means pivoted at one end to each of said arms and at the other end to the respective wall of said frame whereby said latching element can be swung to latched position with said end portions in said notches and between the pivotal connections to `the respective link means.

4. In a discharge outlet assembly including a frame having a discharge opening and a gate slidably mounted Vtherein for closing the opening, .the walls of Vsaid frame at the sides of 'said gate having notches aligned with the end of said gate in .close position which end is movable away from said frame to open position and opening generally in the direction of opening movement vof said gate, latching means for said gate including a tubular latching element extending along the full width of said gate and bodily movable by rotation thereof to a position in the path .Ofsa'id end of said gate and 4having end .portions adapted to intert with said notches respectively 8 whensaid element is'moved to latched position so as Vto project .beyond said notched walls, means for moving said latching element by rotation thereof .including .aligned arms projecting radially from said 'end .portions of said latcl'iing 'element beyond said .notched vwalls and link vmeans pivoted at one end to each of said arms .andat the other end to the respective wall of said frame whereby lsaid latch-ing element can be yswung to -latched 'position-with said end portions in'ysaid notches and vbetween the pivotal connections to the respective link means, and means for .preventing displacement oi said latching means from .its latching position including .a llocking bolt mounted Yfor axial movement .within one 'end of said tubular latching element to project beyond the same, the associated link 'means havingan aperture aligned with said locking bolt for .receiving the same only when said tubular latchin'g element .occupies the latched position to Vhold the same thereat.

5. In a discharge outlet assembly including -a multisided frame having a 'discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, said iframe having upright side walls disposed at each vv.side

of said gate and `'extending lengthwise in the general direction of movement thereof and runways extendi'ng laterally inwardly vfrom said walls to underlie and support said gate, a tubular latching element extending along the iull'widthof said gate 'and bodily movable Vby rotation thereof to a position in the path of the end of vsaid vgate which end is movable away `from said frame to open position with lthe ends of said latchingelement movable along said runways and extending beyond said side Walls, means for moving said l-atching element by rota-'tion thereof including aligned arms projecting radially A,from its ends and link means pivoted at one Vend to each of said arms and at the other end to the respective side wall and arr-angedto lfold to a dead'center latch'- ing position with Yrespect to vsaid arms and said 'tubular lato-hing element with the llatter inv the lpath of said end of saidgate vand to open to a knuckled opened position Aupon movement `to release, and means for .directing the movement of said tubular latching element Yalong a predetermined path from the locking lto unlocking position including inclined supporting rails carried by said' runways and leading `upwardly 'from 'said runways and arranged and adapted to have said ends of said tubular Yla't'ching element slide therealong.

6. In a discharge outlet yassembly including'a multisided iframeV havinga discharge opening and a slidingv gate for Vclosing the opening, said Vframe having an aperture in'one of the sides for the .passage 0f thegate therethrough, said .gate when 'in closed position projecting Vbeyond said aperture, upright walls at each side or" .said ,projecting portion of .said gate and runways extending'laterally linwardly from said Awalls to underlie and vsupport said gate, said walls havinggenerally semicircular notches with 'the innermostportions Valigned with the projecting end surface of said gate when the same is closed and .opening generally in thedrection of opening movement of said gate, a tubular latching element extending valong the viull width of said 'gate and `bodily movableto .a position juxtaposed to said end surtace'of said gate with the endsthereo'f movable alongsaid runways and extending beyond said side walls and arranged tofinterfit withsaid notches whereby `said vtubular latchingelement is Yheld `against upward movement, and operating means connected to said ends of said tubular latching element for shifting the same from latching position against said end surface of said gate to a position out of the path of movement of said gate.

'7.^-ln a discharge outlet assembly including a frame having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, side walls disposed at the sides of said opening, means for mo-ving said gate including interengaging rack and pinion means on said gia-te Iand frame respectively and an operating shaft for said pinion, bearings for rotatably supporting said shaft carried by said side wallsvand including laterally projecting hub portions, said side walls having notches aligned kwith the end of said gate in closed position which end is movable away from saidA frame to open position and opening generally in the direction of opening movement of said gate, support arms spaced outwardly from said side walls and leading upwardly from the outer ends of said bearing hubs, latching means for said gate including a latching element extending along the full width of said gate and having end portions adapted to intert with said notches respectively when said element is moved to latched position so as to project beyond said notched walls, and means for moving said latching element from latched position against said end of said gate and in said notches to a position above said gate and out of the path of opening movement thereof including aligned larms projecting radially from said end portions of said latching element beyond and spaced outwardly from said notched walls in coplanar relation to said support arms, and platelike links disposed on opposite sides of each set of support and radially extending arms and pivotally connected thereto whereby said latching element can be swung to latched position with said end portions in said notches and between the pivotal connections to the respective links and to unlatched position above Said gate.

8. In a discharge outlet assembly including a multisided frame having a discharge opening `and a sliding gate for closing the opening, said frame having an aperture in one of the sides for the passage of the gate therethrough, said gate when in closed position projecting beyond said aperture, upright walls at each side of said projecting portion of said gate Iand runways extending laterally inwardly from said walls to underlie and support said gate, said walls having generally semicircular notches with the innermost portions aligned with the projecting end surface of said gate when the same is closed and opening generally in the direction of opening movement of said gate, a tubular latching element extending along the full width of said gate and bodily movable to a position juxtaposed to said end surface of said gate with the ends thereof movable along said runways and extending beyond said side Walls and arranged to intert with said notches whereby saidtubular latching element is held against upward movement, operating means connected t said ends of said tubular latching element for shifting the same from latching position against said end surface of said gate to a position out of the path of movement of said gate.

9. In an outlet assembly including a frame having a discharge opening and a slidable gate for closing the opening, a tubular latching element extending along the end of said gate in closed position which is movable away from said frame to open position with the ends projecting beyond the respective sides of said frame, aligned arms projecting radially from the ends of said tubular latching element, linkage for each arm pvotally connected thereto and to said frame with the pivotal connection to each arm spaced from the longitudinal axis of said tubular latching element, each linkage including double links with the inner link overlying the respective end of said latching element and saddle shaped to straddle the same to permit it to assume a dead center position with respect to the pivotal axes of the linkage when said tubularelement is in latching position, the outer link of each linkage being disposed outwardly of the respective end of said tubular element and one of said links having an aperture therein in alignment with the opening through said tubular element when it occupies the latched position, and a locking bolt slidably mounted in said tubular member and arranged to inte'rt with said aperture to lock the apertured link and thereby said tubular element in the latched position.

10. In a discharge outlet assembly including a multisided frame having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, said frame having an aperture in one of the sides for the passage of the gate therethrough, said gate when inclosed position projecting beyond said aperture, upright walls at each side of said projecting portion of said gate and runways extending laterally inwardly from said walls to underlie and support said gate, said Walls having generally semicircular notches with the innermost portions aligned with the projecting end surface of said gate when the same is closed and opening generally in the direction of opening movement of said gate, a tubular latching element extending along the full width of said gate and bodily movable to a position juxtaposed to said end surface of said gate with the ends thereofmovable along said runways and extending beyond said side walls and arranged to interi-lt with said notches whereby said tubular latching element is held against upward movement, operating means connected to said ends of said tubular latching element for shifting the same from latching position against said end surface of said gate to a position out of the path of movement of said gate, wall means on said frame extending between said respective upright side Walls above said projecting portion of said gate with the under surface of the marginal edge of said wall means forming a continuation of the upper end surfaces of said notches whereby uninterruptedv sealing contact is provided between said frame and said tubular latching element between said sidewalls, and a sealing curtain secured to and extending substantially the full length of said wall means and downwardly across the adjacent ends o f the respective side walls to lie in vthe path of Said tubular latching element so as to be folded around said under surface of said wall means and engage said end surface of said gate and overlie the surfaces of said notches on engagement by said tubular latching element and movement of the same to latching position whereby a tight seal is provided forsaid aperture in said frame to prevent the escape of ne' lading.

GEORGE B. DOREY.

References cites in the sie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,484,764 Dodd Feb. 26, 1924 2,142,236 Campbell Jan. 3, 1939 2,386,702 McBride Oct. 9, 1945 

